Shoe



J. M. GUY

March 26, 1935.

SHOE

Filed July 21, 1950 2 Sh eets-Shee t 1 March 26, 1935.

J. M. GUY

SHOE

Filed July 21, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheat 2 Patented Mar. 26, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 4 Claims.

My invention relates to a shoe, and has particular reference to a shoe in which preferably the outer sole and the counter forming the sides of the heel portion of the shoe are formed integrally, preferably of fairly heavy sole leather pressed to proper shape to form the outer sole and to form the counters at the sides and rear of the heel portion, and thereby-better support both the transverse and longitudinal arches of the foot.

Another object of my invention is the provision of a shoe in which the outer sole portion and the counters are integrally formed, thereby producing a shoe whichis much more strong and serviceable than the types of shoes which are now in common use, and also in which the counter portions are so formed that support is afforded at the sides thereof to the wearer of the shoe in a better manner than is now accorded through the present type of counter used in shoes.

Another and further object of my invention is the provision of-a shoe having an outer sole and counter portion integrally formed so that better support is provided for the heel of the foot than where the counters are formed as separate 1112111- bers, as is common practice in building up shoes at the present time.

Another and further object of my invention is the provision of a shoe having an instep supporting member which can'easily be built into the shoe between the inner and outer soles or can be inserted between these soles after the shoe is built, thereby providing a better support for the longitudinal and transverse arches of the foot than is common in shoes of present manufacture.

Another and further object of my invention is.

the provision of a shoe having an outer rear portion which is fitted around the counters and rear portion of the foot and extends forward under the instep portion of the foot and laced or otherwise secured in position at the upper part of the foot, thereby providing a stronger and better support for the longitudinal arch and heel portions of the foot and reinforces the rear portion of the shoe, the heel being secured to the shoe over this reinforcing member.

In referring to the longitudinal and transverse arches of the foot, it will be understood that the longitudinal arch extends lengthwise of the foot and is supported by the heel. at the rear and by the transverse arch at the front, which is formed by the ball of the foot on the inner side and the outer side of the footjust behind the small toe. At the juncture of these arches a dome-like structure .is formed, and from this point some of the weight of the body is distributed. In my improved structure I provide ashoe which normally supports the longitudinal arch and into which a support for the transverse arch may either be built or fitted after the shoe is built, if desired.

These and other objects of my invention will be more fully and'better understood by reference to the accompanying sheets of drawings, in whichgure 1 is a top elevational view of a shoe insole;

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the insole shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a top view of the longitudinal and transverse arch supporting member; I p

Figure 4 is a bottom view of the arch supporting member: shown in Figure 3, showing a member attached thereto for slightly elevating this member under the transverse arch;

Figure5 is a side elevational view of the member shown in Figure 3;

Figure 6 is atop plan view of my combined outer sole and counter;

Figure 7 is a side elevational viewof the sole and counter shown in Figure 6,

Figure 8 is a rear end view of the counter as shown in Figures 6 and '7;

Figure 9 is a top view of the outer covering placed over the rear end of the combined counter and outer sole and extending under the rear portion of the shoe;

-Figure 10 is a side elevational view of the rear cover shown in Figure 9;

Figure 11 is a side elevational view of the shoe embodying my improved invention;

Figure 12 is a sectional view of the shoe shown in Figure 11; and

Figure 13 is a cross sectional view on'lines' 1313 of Figure 12. 1

Referring now to the drawings in which like reference characters refer to like parts throughout, an insole 20 is provided, preferably of fairly heavy leather or the like, having an integrally formed side portion 21 adapted to normally support the longitudinal arch of thefoot, and being shaped to conform to the contour of the bottom of thefoot. ,A longitudinal arch supporting member 22 is'provided made of sole leather, metal or the like, and which is shaped to correspond to the heel and foot under the longitudinal arch, and preferably is long enough so that it extends under the transverse arch portion of the'foot, and is preferably placed between the inner sole 20 and the outer sole hereinafter described, al-

i though it may be made of varying lengths is desired.

The member 22 has a side portion'23 formed thereon which supports the portion 21 of the insole 20, the member 22 also serving to support the insole 20 at the rear thereof and as an additional'support for the longitudinal arch of the foot. Attached to the central portion of the memwith a second member 25 being secured tothe said member 24 if desired and providing additional means for lifting the central portion of the member 23, thereby providing a support for the transverse arch of the wearer, if such a form of device may be desired. r

A combined outer sole'and counter 26 is shown having a sole portion 27 with counter portions 28 and 29 respectively formed at the rear of the member 26 and extending upward therefrom, the forward portions of the edges 28 and 29 curving backward and being divided at the rear portions with an opening 30' which is formed when the combined sole member and counter 26 is formed} Preferably the member 26 is formed.

from sole leather of fairlyheavy thickness, depending upon the weight of the shoe, by cutting a piece of leather in flat form of approximately the proper outline for this member, and thereafterpressing it to shape so that the sole portion 27 is made to conform to the outline of the foot, andthe side portions 28 and 29 are turned upward at right angles to the heel portion 31, with curved sides and to heel.

' A rear outside member 32 isprovided which is adapted to be fitted over the counter portions 28 and 29 and preferably passes underneath the heel portion'31 of the member 26, this member having a pair of diagonally extending edges 33 and 34 at the forward side thereof to which a front outer member or vamp portion of the shoe '35'is secured along the line 36. Appropriate securing meansQsuch as eyelets 3741 or the like, may be secured to the member 32 adjacent the edges 37 and 38 through which laces pass and which, when secured together, draw the member 33 tight along the sides of thefoot forming the into the opening 30 at the rear of the counters 28 and 29, as desired, for the particular kind of shoe being manufactured.

In building up the shoe, the insole 20 is placed upon a last, the vamp portion, having the usual lining therefor, placed therein and secured to the insole 20 in' the usual manner. The combined outer sole and counter 26 is thereupon placed over the insole 20 and the free edges of the vamp the insole being left free for the purpose of inconform to the shape of the I I built into the shoe when it is made, or may be on or removed from,

serting the member 22 if desired. The member 32 is thereupon placed over the rearportion of the shoe around the rear, portion 31 of the combined outer soleand counter 26,'inc1uding each of the counters 28 and 29. The forward free edges 33 and 34 are stitched to the rear free edge of the vamp p0rti0n135 along the line 36, and

to the lining for the vamp portion, if one is used.

A rear lining may also be used which will conform in shape generally to the, member 32 but will be placed inside of the counters 28 and29 an'dbe secured at its forwardedgealong the line 36 by the same stitching which secures the vamp 35 and the member 32 togethen the lining being placed under the rear portion of the insole 20. I

Fastening means, such as hooks or eyelets, are

placed adjacent the edges 37 and 38' by means of which the shoe is secured upon the foot of the wearer.

The shoe may be built inaccordance with standard practice, with theouterrear portion of the shoe omitted and the member 32 substituted in its place-if desired, thereby securing the benefit of a supporting member which passes under theheel and instep portions of the shoe. v I Thereafter a heel 39, .of the usual form, is attaehed to the portion 31 of the member 26 in the usual manner by being nailed-thereto, orjotherwise secured, as may be desired.

inserted into the shoe after it is made, by lifting the rear end of the insole 20. and slipping the member 22 in between theinner sole 20 andthe combined counter and outer sole 2']. The inner sole is left free at its central and'rear portions so this member can be inserted under it, or is attached to the rear portion 31 of the member 26 by a small amount of glue or a single nail or screw whichcan be easily removed. The arch support member 22 is placed into the shoe in such position that the member 24 is underneath the central portion of the transverse arch. The members 24 and 25 may be dispensed with and the forward end-of the member 22 arched upward to provide a proper support for this arch if desired.

' The relation of the inner sole 20 and the outer sole 26 may be changed if desired in building up the shoe, although I prefer the form as shown in the drawings.

template changes in form and the proportion of parts and the substitution of equivalents as cirunderstood as limiting myself thereto, as I concumstances may suggest or render expedientsaid front portion, with cooperating upper edges for receiving'fastening means for securing the shoe upon the wearers foot. I

2. A- shoe having an inner sole, an outer sole instep portion of the shoe and being secured to ing member adapted to be inserted under the inner sole, theinner sole being left free at its rear end hereby the said arch supporting member may be inserted thereunder.

4. A shoe having an inner sole, an outer sole having counter portions formed integrally therewith, a. vamp portion; a rear portion adapted to cover the counter portions and extending across under the rear portion of said outer sole to the forward edge ot the instep portion thereof, and 10 a heel.

JOHN M. GUY. 

